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Brief updates about what’s new in the CU Boulder School of Education

CU Boulder's teacher preparation excellence recognized by the state

At the Colorado Board of Education meeting this February, all of the CU Boulder School of Education’s teacher preparation programs were lauded and received sweeping reauthorization following a state review.
 
The Colorado Department of Higher Education and Colorado Department of Education have joint authority to reauthorize traditional Colorado educator preparation programs at universities and colleges across the state. The School of Education was reviewed in the fall of 2022 through a site visit that brought together reviewers and CU Boulder faculty, students, alumni and local school district partners.
 
As a result of the peer review, all 10 of the CU Boulder teacher endorsement programs up for review earned full reauthorization, including culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) education, CLD bilingual education specialist, elementary education/CLD dual program, English language arts, mathematics, middle school mathematics, music, science, social studies and world languages. 

“Our students, alumni and faculty shine in all areas of our teacher education program from culturally and linguistically diverse education, which is embedded in our elementary education major, to content-specific secondary education and more,” said Dean Kathy Schultz. “We are delighted that the state reviewers and our peers recognize the excellence of our programs.”

Two new BAs in education coming next fall
 
This past year, the Board of Regents approved the creation of two new Bachelor of Arts degrees for the CU Boulder School of Education: the BA in Middle and High School Teaching and the BA in Education Studies. 
 
“These exciting new undergraduate degrees have the potential to help address significant teacher shortages or introduce graduates to non-teaching careers in education at a time when support for and understanding of public education is critical for a healthy democracy,” said Dean Kathy Schultz. “These majors build on the long-standing success of our education minor and teacher-education programs.”
 
The BA in Middle and High School Teaching program is for students seeking a career in middle and/or high school teaching. In addition to their BA in teaching, they will earn an initial teacher license in Secondary English, math, science, social studies or Spanish from the state of Colorado and a dual degree in their content area.
 
The BA in Education Studies is for students who are interested in education-related careers but not necessarily teaching. Graduates can work in governmental and nonprofit agencies, community outreach, youth development and other non-school educational programs or pursue graduate studies in education. 
 
Both degrees will open for applications in the fall of 2024.

A Queer Endeavor elevates the stories of LGBTQ+ students in new documentary partnership

Over the past two years, A Queer Endeavor and Denver Public Schools partnered to create a new documentary, Reclaiming the Narrative: A Film About LGBTQ+ Students. This summer, they released the film.

The hour-long film features the stories and perspectives of 16 students in 13 Denver high schools. While recognizing some of the challenges LGBTQ+ students face in schools, their stories reframe and disrupt detrimental narratives with moments of joy and important insights into students' complex intersectional identities. Students reflect on ways educational systems have historically served to marginalize certain identities and examine how schools might do better.

“I hope that viewers are open to listening with a full heart,” said Bethy Leonardi, an associate professor and co-founder of A Queer Endeavor, “and to think carefully about: What can I do? How can I hold my community accountable to do right by these people?”

The Denver Public Schools Culture, Equity and Leadership Team and A Queer Endeavor—a nationally renowned center for gender and sexuality in education based in the CU Boulder School of Education—celebrated the premiere of the film in June at a private event with educators, students and families. Since 2014, A Queer Endeavor has worked with over 25,000 educators and youth-serving adults through professional learning opportunities. This film will be used in these opportunities as well as in Denver Public Schools. 

Visit us online to watch the trailer and learn about how you can purchase the film online at colorado.edu/center/a-queer-endeavor/films.